Silverleaf Scurf Pea
Latin Name: Psoralea argophylla
USDA Hardiness: Coming soon
Native Range: NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Saskatchewan (south), Alberta (south), Manitoba (south)), United States (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (west), Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma (north), South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado (east), Montana (east), Wyoming (east), New Mexico (northeast))
Edibility Rating: 2 / 5
Medicinal Rating: 1 / 5
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Plant Type:
Medicinal Uses
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root | Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[105, 161]. The root can also be dried and ground into a powder then used in soups or with cereals for making bread etc[161].
Cultivation
Pediomelum argophyllum is native to the central belt of N. America, from southern Canada to Texas, and, as such, will be subject to a continental climate in much of its range with very hot summers and very cold winters. Species in this genus generally require well-drained soil in a sunny position, succeeding in most soils[1 , 200 ]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[200 ]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200 ].
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention of toxicity for this species has been found, at least some members of this genus contain furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people[65].
Habitats
Dry prairies and plains; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[43 ].